The Cubs released some info regarding a new renovation plan for Wrigley and the properties they own around it. Its part of a plan they have started shopping around to Wrigleyville neighbors. The real story here is that this "scoop" was broken by the new upstart e-paper DNAinfo Chicago, a publication entirely owned by the Ricketts family, (a seemingly credible news source which has lured away Pulitzer Prize winning writer Mark Konkol from the Sun-Times.) The plans will be formally released on January 19th.

So in their usual bumbling way, the Cubbies have now managed to piss off mainstream media by having the story "broken" by their family enterprise. The Ricketts can't seem to get out of their own way.

‎This just in from the newswires: The Anti-Trust Division of the US Department of Justice has announced that whenever Sale take The Bump, it is unfair competition in violation of various federal and state laws. However, he is not being prosecuted because it is so ****in awesome to watch him do his craft.

Still don't know why Wrigley is a landmark; the stadium is of zero architectural significance.

Also, the article makes it sound like the team is working with at least 80 acres of space. Hotel, retail shops, parking, etc...How much space are they working with?

I think Rickett's should try and buy out the rooftop building owners. Move club admistrative offices there and perhaps lease out some restaurant space. Then install lights similar to those at Camden Yards, on top of the buildings so that the outfield lighting is on par with the rest of MLB.

They already worked out a deal for the land where the McDonalds is located.

But seriously, folks, if 5K fans a game each pay $100 for "The Wrigley Experience", that's smart business. I also think that all fans of the game should visit Wrigley once, just to see an old-time park. However, it seems like Ricketts & Co. is taking the renovation of Wrigley in the same direction of Soldier Field; souping-it-up in such a way that the old-time charms of the stadium are going to be superseded by amenities that fans expect in a modern facility. What will happen is that Wrigley will slide into being a crappy place to watch a game and the unique nostalgia of the place will be looooooooooong gone. Kinda seems like that ship has started to sail.

But seriously, folks, if 5K fans a game each pay $100 for "The Wrigley Experience", that's smart business. I also think that all fans of the game should visit Wrigley once, just to see an old-time park. However, it seems like Ricketts & Co. is taking the renovation of Wrigley in the same direction of Soldier Field; souping-it-up in such a way that the old-time charms of the stadium are going to be superseded by amenities that fans expect in a modern facility. What will happen is that Wrigley will slide into being a crappy place to watch a game and the unique nostalgia of the place will be looooooooooong gone. Kinda seems like that ship has started to sail.

Also I wonder if the Ricketts realize that dropping the Landmark status will remove the Class L property tax break on Wrigley for both the current park and any improvements to the park they may do.